Ed’s Red Recipe Mod

[HWooldridge]

I’ve made a few small batches of basic “Ed’s Red” over the years, using only ATF and acetone, and that was primarily for ‘liquid wrench’ applications. I may have used it on firearms once or twice.

At any rate, it’s time to make up another bottle, and I was refreshing myself on an H&G link, which has other ingredients listed. I’m going to include mineral spirits this time, but see no need to also add kerosene - seems a bit redundant. I have some lanolin but was going to try some Ballistol, only because I have a mostly full can and it seems logical.

Has anyone played with the basic ingredients and can report better or worse results? Based on my personal experience, I believe the ATF and the acetone are the most important components for cleaning but we use mineral spirits at work and it does a great job, so maybe someone has some other observations to share.

TIA.

[Ford SD]

I do not add the Acetone, believe the Acetone is there for a plastic remover ( think shot gun )

also the Acetone is a paint remover so watch out when using it near (Plastic and Stock finishes)

So My mix is Varsol and Kerosene & Atf it does a good job for me

You could make up a big batch and put it in 2 bottles (Big and small) and add the Acetone to the small bottle

[uscra112]

Ed himself would probably not recommend omitting the kerosene. Has to do with polar vs. non-polar solvents, if I remember right.

[crandall crank]

I mix mine using equal part of ATF, mineral spirits and kerosene.

[15meter]

I've done quart of Kroil, quart of ATF and a quart of mineral spirits, no acetone because of the concern for stock finish. It's worked well for me. Need to mix up a fresh batch. Only wish I'd bought another gallon or two of Kroil when I could buy it for less than $20/gallon. It would have beaten inflation.

A little really does go a long way.

[HWooldridge]

I decided to do the following:

All measurements were 2 oz in a graduated cylinder.

Walmart generic automatic transmission fluid
Acetone
Ballistol
Turpentine
Mineral Spirits

I already had all of this stuff in my shop. I can add the kerosene later - I didn’t have any and wasn’t interested in going to Lowe’s. I know some folks don’t like turpentine but I always keep some around to thin linseed oil.

The Ballistol made it oilier than previous batches but the solution still cleans like crazy. I wiped down my 12 ga double and the bores shone like mirrors, after showing some gunk from previous sessions. My rifles must have already been pretty clean because those swabs came out with no stains.

PS: I store mine in an old, properly marked, glass whiskey bottle. I figure anything that keeps good scotch from evaporating too quickly will work for this stuff. I also mark the bottle on a new fill so I can watch for acetone loss.

[Shiloh]

Feel free to skip acetone. Kerosene is a major component. Don't skip it.
Shiloh

[schutzen-jager]

Feel free to skip acetone. Kerosene is a major component. Don't skip it.
Shiloh

totally agree - the acetone will destry most wood finishes + plastics - it's inclusion in the formula was to remove plastic wad residue from shotgun bores -

[WinchesterM1]

Wouldn’t the acetone also be good for removing any PC build up from powder coated bullets? I keep the acetone in mind but also add a couple of tablespoons of undiluted ballistol per quart of Ed’s red I make

[schutzen-jager]

depends on composition of the pc coating - acetone is fast evaporating solvent for many compounds - PC build up is just another disadvantage related to if's use - never any build up using tumble lubed LA - only fowling in every differentt rifle or pistol i use it in is powder residue from firing -

[Nueces]

Because of acetone's volatility, I don't include it in my Ed's Red, but dokeep a small bottle of it to add in case of need.

[alamogunr]

Look for "Steve's Squeeze". At least that's what I remember. It is a slightly different formulation of homemade bore cleaner. Ingredients are easier to find for me.

I would post the recipe except in the past, I had a habit of saving every thing that caught my eye. Now my very large hard drive is filled with stuff that I can't find easily.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I mix my Ed's Red per the original instructions...I do sub Turpentine for MS (an option in original instructions and I prefer the smell). I do use Acetone and Lanolin. Ed does explain the purpose of each ingredient in the original instructions.

I imagine substituting other ingredients might work as well...But the original Ed's Red sure does work great.

[alamogunr]

Hey! It wasn't as hard to find as I thought:

Steve's Squeeze
1 quart deodorized mineral spirits or Exxon ClearLite fuel.

1 quart xylene
1 quart MEK
1 quart ATF or Marvel Mystery Oil

For rust protection in storage, add 4 ounces of Lee Liquid Alox per gallon.
There will be a precipitate in the bottom of the storage container. Do not
shake the storage container, pour the cleaner off the precipitate for use.

Because of the increased solvent power of Steve's Squeeze, store it in glass
or metal containers. Do not store this mixture in plastic bottles. It can
destroy plastic, and it will evaporate through the plastic. You can use
polyethylene squeeze bottles for application, but not for storage. Steve's
Squeeze is harmless to bluing and nickel plating, however it will damage
many stock finishes.

Print this label and place on the container:

RIFLE BORE CLEANER

CAUTION: HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

Flammable mixture, Keep away from heat, sparks or flame.

Use with adequate ventilation. Avoid breathing vapors or
spray mist. Avoid contact with skin.
Keep container tightly closed when not in use.

FIRST AID, If swallowed DO NOT induce vomiting, call a
physician immediately. In case of eye contact, immediately
flush thoroughly with water and call a physician.
In case of skin contact, wash thoroughly.

Safe compounding and use are your responsibility.

Storage

After cleaning with Steve's Squeeze and rinsing with mineral spirits, I
apply Steve's Squeeze with Liquid Alox for storage. I wear gloves to avoid
fingerprints, and wrap the gun in a polyethylene plastic wrap, one-gallon
plastic bags work well for pistols and revolvers, kitchen garbage bags for
rifles. This prevents removing the coating if you place the gun in a gun
case and prevents accidental fingerprints when you handle the gun. I put the
gun in the plastic bag while still wet, the solvents evaporate through the
plastic and the gun is dry the next time it is used.

For long term (decades) storage of firearms and ferrous metals, Cosmoline
has long been the gold standard. For an easy to use replacement for
Cosmoline, I mix Lee Liquid Alox with an equal amount of deodorized mineral
spirits and brush it onto the gun. Submerged complex parts like trigger
assemblies and drip-dry. The same plastic bag system works for long-term
storage. Heavy plastic bags specifically made for firearms storage are
available, and may be better in extreme conditions.

It is easy to remove dried Lee Liquid Alox with mineral spirits or any of
the spray solvents like carburetor or brake cleaner. Immediately coat the
gun with Steve's Squeeze, to prevent rust.

You are free to copy this article provided you send it in its entirety.

Note:Exxon ClearLite fuel(Optional first ingredient) has not been available for years. I left it in due to the due to the previous statement.

[elmacgyver0]

Steve's Squeeze should remove fingerprints, off your fingers I mean.

[schutzen-jager]

I mix my Ed's Red per the original instructions...I do sub Turpentine for MS (an option in original instructions and I prefer the smell). I do use Acetone and Lanolin. Ed does explain the purpose of each ingredient in the original instructions.

I imagine substituting other ingredients might work as well...But the original Ed's Red sure does work great.

totally agree bout original formula mixed as to original with reference to the acetone + lanolin for different purposes - Steves Squeeze mixture seems dangerous + toxic to me -

[popper]

Just ATF and kerosine for me.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Steves Squeeze mixture seems dangerous + toxic to me -

Xylene and MEK...it's not just for Breakfast anymore

[cuzinbruce]

I have used Ed's Red for years. Results are fine. Acetone, Kerosene, Min Spirits and ATF. Never noticed any problem with stock finishes but I do wipe it off, if I get it on them. Current batch, I did put in lanolin. which I think improves it. No need for heat to dissolve the lanolin, just let it sit for a day or so, stir once in a while. I keep the supply in a metal thinner can, no plastic. On the bench, I keep it in a small, metal lighter fluid can with the flip top. Perfect for squirting on patches.

[725]

Ed's red ~ great stuff. I use it as designed and it works for me. I do make the acetone & ATF as a rust buster. Nothing penetrates like that stuff. The acetone is the vehicle that carries the ATF deep into tiny spaces and it's good for removing plastic in shotgun barrels.